Oregon to require prescriptions for OTC cold/allergy treatments

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed legislation on Tuesday making his state first to require prescriptions for everyday cold and allergy medications that can be converted to methamphetamine.The requirement applies to any medication containing pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in making meth.Oregon and several other states already require consumers to provide identification and sign a log when purchasing OTC cold and allergy medications the likes of Sudafed and Claritin-D from pharmacies. Congress is moving towards similar restrictions.The prescription requirement could be in place within three months and has the potential to drive pseudoephedrine-containing products off the market within a year or two, according to some pharmacists.